Feeding device for carding-engines.



A No. 690,260, Patented nec. '3L-|901,

n. c. FISHER. FEEDING DEVICE FRCBDING ENGINES.

(Application med Feb. 11, 1901.)

N0. 690,260. Patented Dec. 3|, |90|. D. C. FISHER.

FEEDING DEVICE FOR CARDING ENGINES.

' (Application led Fab. 11, 1901.)

6 Sheets-Sheet' 2.

(No Model.)

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Patented nec. `20,1901.

n. c. FISHER. FEEDING DEVICE FOR CARDINGENGINES.

(Application led Feb. 11, 1901.)

6 ShSetSI-Slieet 3.

(H0 Model.)

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No. 690,260. Patented Dec. 3i, I90I. D. C. FISHER.

FEEDING DEVICE FOB GARDING ENGINES.

. (Appiicaeion med'reb. 1K1, 1901.)

(llo Model.)-

Irl- IU. Q-PIT I- lll] 161 150 MTNEEEEE 5 am im..

Patented Dec. 3|, I90I.

n. c. FISHER. FEEDING DEVICE FOR CARDING ENGINES.

(Application led Feb. 11, 1901.\

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(Nu Model.)

Patentd Dec. 3|, I90i. .l n. c. FISHER. y A FEEDING DEVICE FOB CARDING ENGINES.

(Application filed Feb. l1, 1901.

6 Sheets--Sheet (No Model.)

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UNITE vSTATES PATENT OFFICE'.

DANIEL C. FISHER, OFV BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE vWOONSOCKET MACHINE AND- PRESS COMPANY, OF WOONSOCKET, RHODEISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

FEEDING DEVICE FOR CARDING-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,260, dated December 31, 1901.

Application tiled February 11, 1901K. Serial No. 46,868. (No model.)

In carrying out the invention it has been my purpose to secure the delivery to the 'carding-engine of the stock in a bat of uniform density, and consequently I provide for the stock being transferred directly to the delivering device from thetransferring device and being properly compressed or matted thereon as soon as it reaches the same.

In order to eect the even accumulation or matting of the stock upon the delivering device, I employ a matter, which compresses each mass of stock in proper position upon the delivering device, and arrange mechanism between said matter and the transferring device whereby the latter is stopped when there is liability of an overaccumulation of stock upon the delivering device. The transferring device operates merely to carry the stock from the receiving-chamber into position where it is disengaged from said transferring device by a comb or other equivalent mechanism, and consequently I provide for masses of stock being dropped in substantially even quantities at predetermined periods upon the delivering device. The amount of stock which is carried by the transferring device is regulated by suitable mechanism which I shall subsequently describe in detail, additional orsupplemental mechanism being provided for varying the speed of the transferring device automatically in accordance with the accumulation of material iu the receiving-chamber.

The features which I have thus brieliy described all coperate in effecting the feeding vout.

Vof a lcontinuous bat to the carding-engine which is of even thickness or density through- Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, Figure l represents a side elevation of the card-feeding machine. Fig. 2 represents an elevation from the other side. Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal section through the machine. Fig. 4 represents in perspective the mechanism which actuates and controls the movement of the transferring device. Fig. 5 represents atransverse section through the machine and illustrates the mechanism last referred to. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate in side elevation and in different positions the stop-motion mechanism controlled by the matter. Fig. S represents an end elevation ofthe same. Fig. 9 represents an elevation of the same mechanism from the other end. Fig. 10 illustrates a similar View with some of the parts removed. Figs. 11, 12, l13, and 14 represent details of construction of the controlling mechanism. Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18 represent mechanism controlled by the accumulation of stock in the receiving-chamber for varying the speed of the transferring device. Fig. 19 represents a portion of the stripper-comb. Fig. 2O represents one of the matter-blades. Figs. 2l to 27, inclusive, represent the stop-motion mechanism in detail.

In the following description of the machine shown upon the drawings and in the appended claims the terms Which I have used are for the purpose ofdescription and notof limitation, it being apparent that other mechanical equivalents may be employed for those parts which I have elected to illustrate and describe, and consequently, although this machine is the .best form of the invention of which I now have knowledge, I do not intend to limit myself to the particular features of construction thereof.

As illustrated, the Y machine is provided with the usual sides 2O 2l, suitably connected and being provided with the adjustable legs or supports 22. Atrthe upper portion of the machine-there is aclosed end 23, which forms the rear wall of the receiving-chamber. At the lower front end of the machine there is ICOl i rier.

a front wall 24, the bottom portion of which is hinged to the upper portion, as indicated, by means of a hinge 25. 26 is the upper front wall, the lower portion of which is connected thereto by a hinge 27. The sides and the end walls are what constitute the so-called cskin of the machine and they contain the main operative parts, the driving and controlling mechanism being located outside of the sides 20 21. y

Journaled in suitable bearings 28, adjustably supported on the sides, is the shaft 29, which carries the transferring device, and the latter consisting in this embodiment of the invention of a cylinder 30, which extends from side to side of the machine and is provided with curved teeth 3l, inclined forward in the direction of rotation of the shaft 29. The mechanism for rotating the shaft will be subsequently described. l

Below the transferring device or cylinder isa delivering device or carrier, which consists of endless parallel link belts 32, provided with transverse slats 33, thus const-ituting an apron. The upper surface of each slat is beveled, so that the slats present a series of teeth, as it were, for engaging the bat positively and effecting the proper movement thereof. These link belts 32 are supported at one end upon a roll 34 on a transverse shaft 35 and at the other end upon sprockets 36 on a shaft 37. The bearings for the shaft 34 are indicated in Figs. l and 2 at 38, and they are adjustable transversely of the path of movement of the carrier, the shaft 37 being journaled upon brackets 39, which are also adjnstably connected to the sides 2l of the machine. carrier may thus be adjusted vertically to adapt vthe machine for carding-engines having their receiving-rolls at different distances from the ground or floor.

I have not illustrated the mechanism for rotating the shaft 37, as it is well known, consisting merely of gearing interposed between the shaft 37 and one of the rolls of the carding-engine. Y

rPhe delivering device or carrier is so located with respect to the transferring device 30 that the stock which drops from the latter falls upon the former, there being a curved guide 40 so located below the lower end wall 25 of the machine as to guide'thestock to the car- The purpose of this is to prevent an accumulation of stock below the transferring device, in which the matter is compelled to operate. On the contrary, I provide for each mass of stock as it drops from the transferring device, falling upon the carrier and being immediately matted thereon in the matting or compression chamber.

Above the delivering carrier there is an apron 4l, which forms the bottom wall of the receiving-chamber 42. This apron is formed in any suitable way and extends from side to side of the machine. Its driving-shaft 43 is mounted in journals 44, adjustably secu red The shaft 37 and the end of the to the sides of the machine, and is driven by a sprocket-chain 45from the shaft 29, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper portion of the apron travels toward the transferring device or cylinder 30, the periphery of the latter movingin the opposite direction, so that the stock is always carried to the transferring device as long as any remains in the chamber 42, the apron being arranged at an inclination, as shown, for this purpose.

46 indicates an opening-comb provided with the rearwardly-inclined curved teeth 47. This comb is supported at the lower ends of depending arms 4S, secu red to a transverse shaft 49, mounted in journals 50, which are adjustable vertically, as indicated. In the rear of and secured to the arms 48 there is a transverse partition or presser-board 5l, which, with the comb 36, forms the front wall of the chamber 42.

The office of the opening-comb as it oscillates between the extremes of movement shown by dotted lines is to permit the passage upon the transferring device 30 of a predetermined quantity of stock, the surplus stock being removed and forced rearwardly by the teeth 47. The vertical adjustment of the journals 50 provides for a variation in the quantity of stock carried by the transferring device 30 beneath the comb 4G. Hence the relation between the transferring device and the comb may be varied in accordance with the particular kind of stock which is passing through the machine.

The rear wall of the chamber 42 is formed by a partition or presser-board 52, which depends from a transverse rock-shaft 53, the latter having an arm 54, to which is connected a spring 55, whereby the partition is held forward yieldingly against accumulation of stock in the chamber 42. The location of the partition or presser-board determines the speed at which the transferring device 30 moves, and the mechanism by which this is accomplished will be hereinafter described in detail.

In the front of the machine and in bearings 5G, which are adjustable vertically, there is journaled a transverse shaft 57, having arms 58, to which the base 59 of a stripping or doffing comb G0 is adjustably secured. I have not shown the particular adjustment between ICO IIO

the base 59 and the arm 5S; but it will be un derstood that any means for effecting this may be employed, such as securing-bolts 6l passing through. slots in the arms 58. The comb is of the form shown in Fig. l9-that is to say, it is provided with a recess 62 to receive the teeth 3l on the transferring device and between the recesses is provided with teeth 63, which are adapted to engage the stock. The function of the doffing or stripping comb as it moves between the eX- tremes of movement shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 is to remove from the transferring device at intervals a quantity of the stock by completely disengaging it from the teeth thereof and permitting it to drop toward the delivering-carrier. The mechanism for accomplishing this movement of the comb will be subsequently explained.

The matting or compression chamber is provided between the delivering carrier or apron and a wall or board 64, as shown in Fig. 3. This wall or board is placed above the carrier in a plane parallel thereto, being provided with brackets 65, through which bolts 66 are passed into slots 67 in the sides of the machine. Thus the board may bevertically adjusted to suit the thickness of the bat upon the carrier. This board is further provided with a series of pins 68, which project downward and rearward to prevent a retrogrjade movement of the stock which is compressed between it and the carrier, this being assisted by the formation of the slats 33. In order to prevent the carrier from sagging below the board 64, a roll 69 is located in position to support the carrier, said roll being upon a shaft 70, journaled in bearings 71, as shown-in Figs. 1 and 2.

As the stock drops upon the front end of the carrier it is forced into the compressionchamber by the matter, which consists of a plurality of blades 72. These blades are each provided with two teeth 73 73, and they all oscillate to engage the stock and force it into the compression chamber. They may be mounted in any suitable way; but I-prefer to secure the shanks thereof to a shaft 74, journaled in bearings 75, which are adjustable transversely of the path of ,movement of the carrier.

By means which I shall describe the matter is oscillated between the extremes of movement indicated in Fig. 3, and each time a mass of material is stripped from the transferring device by the stripping-comb and drops upon the carrier the matter swings downward and rearward and engaging the mass forces it into the compression-chamber. As previously stated, this construction preventsthe accumulation of a mass of material in which the matteris compelled to move and assists in securing the formation of a uniform body upon the delivery apron or carrier.

By mechanism which I shall describe the matter controls the movements of the transferring device, causing a complete cessation of movement thereof when there is liability of an overaccumulation of stock upon the carrier and causing the transferring device to resume its movement as soon as the oversupply is reduced.

76 indicates a board which is adj ustably secured to the sides of the machine by the bolts 77, which pass through the slots 67, said board preventing the material from dropping from the transferring device in case any be left upon the hooks 3l. To this board is secured a guard 78, which is slotted to permit the passage of the blades 72.

Power is imparted to the machine by means of a belt-pulley 79, secured to a shaft 80, mounted in adjustable bearings 81. From this shaft power is imparted to all of the movable parts of the machine except the delivering carrier or apron. The shaft 80 is provided with a pinion 82, intermeshing with and driving a gear 83, fast upon a shaft 84, parallel to the shaft 80. In its opposite end the shaft 84 has a wheel 85 for a purpose to be described. To a slotted arm in the gear 83 is secured a crank-pin 86, which is connected by a pitman 87 to the slotted end of a lever 88, journaled loosely upon a shaft 49, which supports the opening-comb 46. The shaft 49 is provided with an arm 89, rigidly secured thereto and having a curvilinear slot 90. A screw or lbolt 91 is passed through said slot into engagement with the arm 88 to positively connect the two, this providing an-adjustment of the opening-comb' relatively to the arm 88. The shaft 57, which carries the stripping-comb, has an arm 92, the slotted end of which is connected by a connecting-rod 93 with the stud 94, which connects the pitman 87 with the arm 88. Consequently the rotation of the shaft 83 effects the simultaneous ing-comb in opposite directions. The shaft 80 is equipped on its opposite end with a bevelgear 95, intermeshing with and driving a similar bevel-gear 96 on a shaft 9.7, journaled vin adjustable bearings 98 99 on the side 20 of the machine. It is from this shaft that motion is transmitted at two different speeds to the transferring device. Loosely journaled lupon* the shaft 97 are two gears 100 101, the

former of which is relatively small and the latter is relatively large, the hubs of the two gears being provided with clutch-teeth, as shown in Fig. 1. Mounted in adjustable bearings 102 103 is a second shaft 104, which oscillation of the stripping-comb and the open- IOO is parallel to that at 97 and to it are rigidly secured two gears 105 106, respectively intermeshing with the gears 100 and 101. Between the gears 100 101 is a sliding clutch 107, splined on shaft 97 and having teeth adapted to intermesh with the teeth on either of the gears to drive the shaft 104 at'either of two predetermined speeds. The shaft 104 has a worm 108, which intermeshes with and drives a worm-wheel109, rigidly secured upon the shaft 29. From this description it will be observed that power is transmitted from the shaft S0 to lthe shaft 29 to rotate the stocktransferring device or cylinder at a relatively fast or relatively slow rate of speed.

The mechanism for controlling and actuating the clutch 107 is governed by the presserboard 52. By examining Fig. 1 in connection with Figs. 4, 15, 16, 17, and 18 it will be observed that fulcrumed upon abracket 110 on the side 20 there is a lever 111, having a roll 112 extending into a groove in the clutch 107. The upper end of the lever 111 is connected by a link 113 to an arm 114, depending from the shaft 53. The hub of the arm 114 is loose upon the shaft 53, while the lower end of the arm is slotted, as at 115, to receive ascrew-pin which connects the link IIO loosely thereto. The link 113 is provided with aA lug or projection 116, adapted to have an interlocking engagement with a lug 117 on the side 2O of the machine and hold the clutch in engagement with the small gear 100. Connected to the arm 114 is a spring 118, which tendsto draw it forward, the other end of the spring being attached to an eye 119 on the side of the machine.

Rigidly mounted upon the shaft 53 is an arm 120, having a curvilinear slot 121,.into which is rigidly secured a stud 122, said stud being adapted to be secured fast at any point between the ends of the slot. The stud passes through a slot 123 in the end of a rod 124, pivotally connected with the link 113. Theslot 123 provides a `certain amount of lost motion between the arm 120 and the rod 124. When the presser-board is held rearward by thev accumulation of a large amount of stock inl the receiving-chamber 42, the link 113 is withdrawn rearwardly to engage the clutch 107 with the gear 100, the stud 116 being at this'time in engagement with the lug 117. As theV accumulation of stock is reduced the spring draws the presser-board forward until the arm 120 is raised far enough to take up the lost motion between it and the'rod 124 and to lift said rod to disengage the projection 116 from the lug 117, whereupon the spring 118 Will draw the arm 114 forward and shift theclutch 107 into engagement with the gear 101 and cause the shaft 104 and the transferring device to rotate at an increased speed.

Actual experience has Ydemonstrated that when there is a large amount of stock in the receiving-chamber the transferring device may be rotated at a slow speed and carry with it a sufficient quantity of stock; but when the accumulation is reduced'in the receiving-chamber the transferring device must be rotated at a higher speed in order to carry out the same amount of stock, and the mechanism which 1 have described serves to accomplish'this result. The mechanism is entirely automatic in its character, and, as stated, is controlled by the presser board. Inaddition to this, stop-motion mechanism is providedv supplemental or auxiliary thereto controlled by the matter for entirely stopping the transferring device when there is liability of too great an accumulation of stock in the compression-chamber. To this end the worm 108 is mountedupon a sleeve 125, loose on the shaft 104, said sleeve being formed with gearteeth on its end, as shown. Splined upon the shaft 104vis a clutch 126, having gear-teethA adapted to coact with those on the sleeve 125. Whenthe clutch 126 is disengaged from the sleeve 125, the Worm ceases its rotation, beingthen loose on the shaft 104.

It will be observed that fulcrumed upon a bracket 127 on the side 20 there is a yoke-lever 128, having rolls 12,9, which project into a groove in the clutch 126. Through the free end of said lever 128 is loosely passed the end of a rod V130, said rod having on its end acollar 131, against which the end of thelever is yieldingly held by a spring 132 and an adj usting-collar 133. The other end of the rod 130 is secured by nuts 134 to a lug135 on the slide 136 on the stop-motion device controlled by the matter. The slide is slotted to receive the end of shaft 57, which projects through it and upon which are affixed collars 137 138. The collar 138 is provided with two lugs or projections 139 140. The slide 136 carries a vertically movable member 141, which is yoke-shaped, as shown in Fig. 25, and which is provided with lugs 142 143, to be engaged by the pins or projections 139 140 as the shaft rotates to move the slide 136 in one direction or the other, according to whether the member 141 is lowered or raised, as the case may be. Said member moves vertically inV guides afforded by the slide 136. The shaft 57, as will be remembered, oscillates, and when the member 141 is raised the pin 140 engages the lug 143 and moves the slide to the left in Figs. 25 and 27, or if the member be dropped the pin 139 engages the lug 142 and moves the slide to the right. In one case the lever 128 is moved to engage the clutch with the sleeve 125, and in the other case it will be disengaged therefrom. To raise and lower the member 141, I employ a centrally-pivoted feeler or finger 144, fulcrumed upon thestud 145, adjustably secured to the side 20. This feeler is operated by an actuator which'I shall describe.

Upon the shaft 84 is rigidly secured a wheel 85, having a detachable crank-pin 147, connected by a pitman 148 with a lever 149,whose sleeve-like hub 150 is journaled upon the studsl1aft151,projecting forwardly from a bracket 152 from the side 20. This lever has a shorter arm 153, which is adapted to engage a stop `154 on a toothed segment 155, said segment lbeing loosely journaled upon said sleeve-like hub 150. :is in engagement with a gear 156 on the end of shaft 74. A strong spiral spring 156 isy The toothed portion of the segment coiled about the sleeve-like hub 150, one end `being connected to the segment 155 and the lother end being connected to a pin on the collar 157. which an adjusting-screw 159 presses, said This collar has a lug 158, against adjusting-screw being passed through a lug ,-160 on a collar 161, rigidly secured to the hub 150. This adj usting-screw adjusts the collar 157 about the hub and varies the tension of the spring 156x. The said spring operates to hold the lug 154 tightly against the shorter arm 153 of the lever 149, so that as said lever is rocked the gear 156 will be moved positively in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 and will be moved yieldingly in the opposite direction. Thus the matter, which is mounted upon the shaft 74, is moved positively to inoperative position and yieldingly toward operative position. The movement of the segment is diderential, depending upon the amount of material or stock which is in the IOO IIO

compression chamber. The discharging or delivering carrier moves at a predetermined constant speed, so that the stock is carried gradually by it through the com pressionchamber, andthe degree of movement of the segment therefore depends upon the amount of stock which is in the chamber. The density of the material is governed by the tension of the spring 156x, and consequently the tension of the spring is adjustable to secure the variation in the density of the bat.

When the matter is oscillated toward operative position, its movement, as stated, de-

pendsupon the amountof material in the comi and forces the clutch out of gear.

pression-chamber, it being stopped at various points in'its movement according to the location of the front edge or end of the bat. In consequence of this I secure adjacent-to the segmentv an actuator 170, which is adapted to engage the feeler 144 each time the segment traverses a predetermined portion of its forward movement to raise the verticallymovable member and'prevent the slide which governs the clutch from being moved rearward to unclutch the worm 108 from the shaft 104. Whenever the segment fails to swing the feeler aboutits axis, the pin 139 engages thelug 142 of the vertically-movable member 141 This occurs only when the stock is accumulating too rapidly upon the delivering-carrier and an overaccummulation is imminent. As soon as the clutch is shifted the transferring device immediately ceases rotating and remains at rest until the 'bat has been moved along sufficiently to permit the matter andthe segment to approach their extreme of movement far enough for the actuator to engage the feelcr and cause the actuation of the stop-motion and the throwing in of the clutch.

In this machineas described, there is never an overaccumulation of stock upon the delivery-carrier nor more stock than the matter can conveniently press into the compres.

sion-chamber. The stop-motion mechanism is actuated, as stated, only when there is danger of an overow or oversupply of stock, and this I regal-das one of the most important features of my invention. The matter is not in the nature of a roller which presses and rolls the stock into the compression-chamber; but, on the contrary, it operates a series of pushers which are automatically engaged and disengaged from the stock and which as theyswin g forward gather up the stock which has fallen upon the carrier and forces vit forward into engagement with the end of the bakt. The ends of the blades are so formed that they penetrate the compressed bat and push the stock thereinto. In this respect they differ from the ordinary matter, wherein the latter is stopped in its movement by striking against the bunch of stock at any point along its end,for in the latter ease the bat is rendered thin in some places and thick in others on account of the inability of the matter to properly force the material iutoengagement with and ment the bat is never uneven, but remains rthroughout of even density.

The g-uard 73 and the front 24 of the machine provide a V-shaped throat to operate as guides to afford an unobstructed passage for the wool disengaged bythe comb 60 tothe delivering-apron. The arrangement of the shaft 74 in the rear of the guard 78 prevents an obstruction of the throat, although the blades 72 are free to oscillate through the guard.

In addition to theforegoingl provide means for actuating either a visual indicator or a sounding device when the accumulation of stock in the receiving-chamber is so reduced as to permit the shifting ot the clutch to the high-speed gear. In Fig. 2 the visual indicator consists of a target 170 on the elongated arm of a bell-crank 171, which is connected by a rod 172 to the arm 114, so that when said arm 114 is released from the lug 117 and is drawn over by the impulse of the spring 118 the target is raised on the other side of the machine, as shown in Fig. 2. The arm 54 is formed with a finger 173 which engages the heel of ahammer 174, the latter being subsequently caused by its spring 175 to strike against a gong 176. The gong is so located that it is struck as the target 170 is raised.

Although in the drawings I have shown a transferring device formed as a toothed cylinder, yet I wish to be understood that Icontemplate employing in lieu of such a cylinder any other known or suitable transferring devices. Also I wish to be understood that the illustrated forms of devices whereby the transferrer is stopped and kstarted when its speed is changed, the matter itself, the means through which the matter and its movements serve to control the action of the stop-motion mechanism will be modified in minor mechanical respects and replaced by their mechanical equivalents without any departure from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described a Wayot' constructing and usingthe same,although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made'or all of t-he modes of its use, I declare that what I claim isl 1. Acard-feedcomprisingastock-receiving chamber, a delivering device movable in but one direction, a toothed transferring device for carrying stock from said chamberto said delivering device, and mechanism independently controlled by the accumulation of stock inthe receivingchamber and'by the accumulation of stock on said delivering device, for driving said transferring device chamber, a delivering-apron, a toothed transferringdevice for engaging and carrying stock from said chamber to said delivering-apron, driving mechanism for imparting a constant unidirectional movement to said transferring device, means for disengaging theV stock from said transferring device, and means controlled by the accumulation of stock upon said delivering-apron for disconnecting the transferring device from, and connecting it to said driving mechanism.

chamber, a delivering-apron, a toothed transferring device located between the chainber and the delivering-apron, an oscillatory comb for intermittently disengaging distinct masses of stock from said transferring device, and an oscillatory matter having recessed operative portions for engaging each mass of stock disengaged by said comb and compressing it upon the delivering-apron before the arrival of the next mass, the said operative portions of said matter being movable from a point above to a point below the horizontal plane of the axis of oscillation.

5. Acard-feed comprisingastock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a toothed transferring device located between the chamber andthe delivering-apron to carrya mat of stock from said chamber, a comb for intermittently disengagiug a mass of stock from said transferring device, and anos'cillatory matter having recessed operative portions for engaging each mass of stock disengaged by said comb and compressing it upon the deliveringapron before the delivery of the Anext mass, said matter consisting of an oscillating shaft having a plurality of. blades which engage the stock at their ends, the ends of said blades being movable from a point above toa point below the horizontal plane of the axis of oscillation.

6. Acard-feed comprisingastock-receiving chamber, a compression-chamber, a delivering-apron forming the bottom ofthe compression chamber, a unidirectionally moving toothed transferring device. for transferring stock in a mat from the receiving-chamber, a comb for disengaging the stock from the transferring device, and a plurality of oscillating recessed blades for forcing said disengaged stock into the compression-chamber, the ends of said blades being movable from a point 4. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving above to a point below the horizontal *plane of the axis of oscillation.

7. Acard-feedcomprisingastock-receiving chamber, a compression-chamber, a delivering-apron forming the bottom ot'said compression-chamber, a toothed transferring device for transferring stock from said receivingchamber, anopening comb for removing surplus stock fromfsaid transferring device, a stripping-comb for 4intermittent-ly disengaging a mass of stock from the transferring device, and an oscillatory matter having recessed operative portions for separately engaging each mass of disengaged stock and forcing it into the compression-chamber before the delivery of the next mass, the. said operative portions of said matter being movable from a point above to a point below the horizontal plane of the axis of oscillation.

8. A card-feed comprisinga stock-receiving chamber, a compression-chamber, adeliveryapron forming the bottom ofsaid compressionchamber, a toothed transferring device for transferring stock from said receiving-chamber, anoscillatory opening comb for removing surplus stock from said transferring device, a stripping-comb for intermittently disengaging and separating masses of stock from the transferring device,`an oscillatory matter having recessed'operative portions for separately engaging each mass of disengaged stock and forcing it into the compression-chamber, and means for oscillating said stripping-comb and said matter in opposite directions, the said operative portions of said matter being movable from a point above to a point below the horizontal plane of the axis ofvoscillation.

9. A card-feed comprisinga stock-receiving chamber, a compression-chamber, a delivering-apron formingthe bottom of said compression-chambena toothed transferring device for transferring stock from said receivingchamber, an opening comb for removing surplus stock from said transferring device, a stripping-comb for intermittently disengaging and separating masses of stock from the transferring device, an oscillatory matter havingrecessed operative portions for engaging each mass of stock `as it is disengaged and forcing it into the compression-chamber, and means f Or oscillating said opening comb and stripping-comb in opposite directions, the said operative portions'of .said matter being movable from a point above toa point below the horizontal plane of the axis of oscillation.

10. A card-feedcomprising astock-receiving chamber, a compression-chamber, a deliveringapron forming the bottom of said compression-chamber, and projected in front ofsaid compression-chamber, a toothed transferring device located above said apron, with an open space between them to unobstruct the passage of stock, a comb for disengaging and separating' from the transferring device masses of stock and dropping them in succession upon said apron, and an oscillatory mat- IOO IIO

terhaving recessed operative portions located normally out of the path of said masses of stock but operable to engage each separate mass of stock and force it into the compression-chamber, the said operative portions of said matter being movable from a point above to a point below the horizont-alplane of the axis of oscillation.

ll. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a compression-chamber, a delivering-apron forming the bottom of said compression-chamber, and projected in front of said compression-chamber, a toothed transferring device located above said apron,guides for guiding stock ui'iinterruptedly from the transferring device to the delivering-apron, an oscillating stripping-comb in operative relation to said transferring device, for disengaging and separating masses of stock therefrom, and an oscillatory matter having recessed operative portions located in its inop.

erative position behind one of said guides for forcing said stool; into the compression-chamber, the said operative portions of said matter being movable from a point above to a point below the horizontal plane of the axis of oscillation.

12. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a toothed stock-transferring device forming the bottom of said chamber, a delivery-apron below said device to receive stock from said transferring device and arranged to form the bottom wall of an open-ended compression-chamber, a flat board forming the top wall of said compression-chamber, an oscillatory stripping-comb for disengaging and separating masses of stock, and an oscillatory matter having recessed operative portions located in its inoperative position outside-the passage of the stock stripped from the transferring device, and operable to force said stock into the front open end of said compression-chamber, the said operative portions of said matter being movable from a point above to a point below the horizontal plane of the axis of oscillation.

13. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device for transferring stock from the stock-receiving chamber toward the delivering-apron, driving mechanism controlled by the accumulation of stock in the said chamber for rotating said device at either of two predetermined speeds, whereby said transferring device is driven at a constant low speed when the said chamber is full, and a constant high speed when the accumulation of stock in said chamber is reduced to a predetermined degree, Without affecting the speed of the delivering-apron.

14. A card-feed comprisinga stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device for transferring stock from the stock-receiving chamber toward the delivering-apron, a yielding presser-board in said chamber,and two-speed mechanism controlled by said presser-board, for driving said transferring device at either of two predetermined speeds, without affecting the speed of the delivering-apron.

l5. A card-feed comprisinga stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device, a power-shaft, two-speed gearing connecting the shaft and transferring device and having a clutch, and means controlled by the accumulation of stock in the receivingchamber for operating said clutch, to-clutch the high-speed gear to the shaft when the stock in the said chamber is reduced and to clutch the low-speed gear to the shaft when the stock is increased.

1G. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device, two-speed gearing for driving the transferring device and having va springpressed clutch, means for locking said clutch in position to cause said transferring device to move at a low speed, and means for automatically releasing said clutch when the accumulation of stock in the receiving-chamber is reduced, to permit the clutch to shift and cause said transferring device to move at a higher speed.

17. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device, gearing for driving said transferring device and two independent clutches interposed in said gearing, one controlled automatically by the stockinthe receiving-chamber, and the other controlled automatically by the accumulation of stock on thev deliveryapron, whereby the stock is placed evenly upon saidk apron.

18. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber,an elongated compression-chamber, a delivering-apron forming the lower wall of the compression-chamber, a transferring device consisting of a toothed carrier, gearing for imparting a continuous movement to said toothed carrier to carry a continuous mat of stock, a yieldingly-driven matter for forcing stock upon the delivering-apron and having a variable movement in accordance With the density of the compressed stock, and a stop-motion mechanism for the transferring device including a clutch controlled by the matter.

19. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a toothed transferring device for transferring stock from the stock-receiving chamber toward the delivering-apron, means for imparting a uniform relatively slow unidirectional rotation to said transferring device to cause it to carry a continuous mat of stock, a compressionchamber above the delivering-apron, a yieldingly-driven matter for compressing stock in the compression-chamber, and a stop-motion mechanism for the transferring device including a clutch controlled by said matter.

20. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a toothed transferring device for transferring stock from the stock-receiving chamber toward the IOO IIO

delivering-apron, means for imparting a uniform unidirectional rotation to said transferring device, a compression-chamber above the delivering-apron, a yieldingly-driven matter for compressing stock in the compressionchamber,and a stop-motion mechanism for the transferring device controlled by said matter, said Stop-motion mechanism incl nding a positive clutch and an oscillatory shaft for shifting it in either direction.

21. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device, means for moving the transferring device, a stripping-comb, a yieldinglyoperated matter, and a stop-motion mechanism for the transferring mechanism including a clutch controlled by the matter and operated by the stripping-comb.

22. A card-feed comprisinga stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device, an oscillatory shaft carrying a comb, means for moving the transferring device, and a stop-motion mechanism including a clutch, stops on said shaft, a slide adapted to be actuated by said stops for actuating the clutch, and a feeler for operating the slide.

23. A card-feed comprisinga stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device, means for moving the transferrngdevice, a matter, and astop-motion mechanism inclndinga clutch, an oscillating shaft having stops, a slide movable in either direction by said stops according to its position, a support for said slide connected to the clutch, and a pivoted feeler actuated by said matter for intermittently operatingsaid slide.

24:. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a transferring device for transferring stock from the stock-receiving chamber toward the delivering-apron, a yieldingly-operated matter, twospeed gearing for driving the transferring device Without varying the speed of the delivering-apron, apresser-board in the receivingchamber for controlling the two-speed gearing, and a stopmotion mechanism for the transferring device controlled by the matter.

25. A card-feed comprising a stock-receiving chamber, a delivering-apron, a-transferring device, a yieldingly-operated matter, a shaft as at 10i geared to said transferring device, a power-shaft as at SO, a clutch between the iirstmentioned shaft and the powershaft, a clutch between the said first-mentioned shaft and the transferring device, and means for automatically actuating said clutches in accordance with the accumulation of stock in the receiving-chamber, and on the delivering-apron respectively, to vary or stop the movement of the transferring device without aecting the speed of the apron.

26. A card-feed having a receiving-chamber, a delivery-apron, a transferring device, a movable Wall in the chamber bearing against the stock, and an indicator actuated by said wall for notifying the operator when the accumulation of stock iu the receiving-chamber has been reduced to a predetermined degree.

27. A card-feed comprising a compressionchamber, a matter for forcing the stock into said chamber, said matter consisting of a roll having a series of thin separated blades With toothed ends for penetrating the bat and incorporating the stock in said bat, and a guard covering said roll and having apertures for said blades.

28. A card feed having a compressionchamber, said chamber consisting of a stationary frictional upper Wall and a lower Wall formed of a toothed apron, and a roll located in proximity and having blades to engage the stock and force it into said chamber.

29. A card-feed comprising a frictional Wall and a parallel apron, forming a compressionchamber for the bat, a device for delivering intermittent charges of stock, a matter having blades forlifting each charge of stock and forcing it into intimate relation with the bat, and a guard-plate having apertures for the reception of said blades.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DANIEL C. FISHER.

Witnesses:

MARCUS B. MAY, C. C. STECHER. 

